Papers in this collection were commissioned for a conference entitled, "Making a Difference for Students at Risk," to serve as springboards for discussion. Discussions and recommendations from conferees were incorporated into the versions presented in this volume. The two topics that dominated discussion at the conference were: basic forces that affect development and schooling of at-risk children and adolescents, and innovative initiatives that apply research and practical knowledge. Papers are: (1) "Introduction: Inner-City Students at the Margins" (Margaret C. Wang, Maynard C. Reynolds, and Herbert J. Walberg); (2) "Twice Victims: The Struggle to Educate Children in Urban Schools and the Reform of Special Education and Chapter 1" (Marleen C. Pugach), commentaries by Kenneth K. Wong and Martin E. Orland; (3) "The Plight of High-Ability Students in Urban Schools" (Joseph S. Renzulli, Sally M. Reis, Thomas P. Hebert, and Eva I. Diaz) with commentaries by Barbara L. McCombs and Brenda Lilienthal Welburn; (4) "Street Academies and In-School Alternatives to Suspension" (Antoine M. Garibaldi), commentaries by Harriet Arvey and Edmund W. Gordon); (5) "Alternatives and Marginal Students" (Mary Anne Raywid), commentaries by Ann Masten and Pauline Brooks; (6) "The Impact of Linguistic and Cultural Diversity on America's Schools: A Need for New Policy" (Eugene E. Garcia), commentaries by Richard Ruiz and Kris D. Gutierrez; and (7) "Epilogue: A Summary of Recommendations" (Maynard C. Reynolds, Margaret C. Wang, and Herbert J. Walberg). Appendixes list participants and give the conference agenda. Each paper contains references. (SLD)